Valverde: Don’t overthink it

Ernesto Valverde advises his Athletic Bilbao players not to overthink the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg with Barcelona.

It’s the third of three games between the sides in quick succession, 10-man Athletic losing heavily at Camp Nou before Barca took a narrow win in the Cup first leg at San Mames.

“The way to succeed in these things is not to think too much. And we are working to win, which we also did in the first leg, but it’s always difficult,” Valverde said, AS reports.

“But we can get it even though it is difficult. If you don’t do the right things it isn’t going to fall for you. We know what we have to do. We have a lower chance of winning than they do but we have to keep going until the end.

“The games come quickly and we’re in the running. Barca haven’t lost a lot of games and just a victory isn’t enough for us. We have to try.

“We have to find the point that can make them a bit nervous. We started the first leg strong, but once they overcame the pressure they scored and we got scared.

“It’ll be our sixth game against Barca this season, which is a lot and there is tension in the match. They’re tired of us and we’re tired of them.”

Tags Ernesto Valverde
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